I find his view on kata a little limited.While studying the kata of the style I practice, I have found many ways to apply certain techniques from kata. Kata also helps positioning yourself against an opponent. If you fail to realise that kata is stylised on embusen, then you can't really discover what is going on. Take for example the more 'basic bunkai' of throws on turning points in kata and the ways in which a gedanbarai can be used. (Downward block in my opinion is way to limited to describe this 'low sweeping recieve'.)The writer does offer nice approach on the matter.

It also teaches defensive and offensive stepping patterns,Pinan, Naifanchi, Chinto, Gojushiho, etc. all teach different concepts. If you're not learning the concepts that might be why you don't see the value in kata.

It also teaches defensive and offensive stepping patterns,Pinan, Naifanchi, Chinto, Gojushiho, etc. all teach different concepts. If you're not learning the concepts that might be why you don't see the value in kata.

Solid Post!!!!

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A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.

I think doing kata is like taking the slow boat to China.It may be useful when you're sparring in a controlled setting with another karataka, but if you tangle with someone who is proficient at jui-jitsu, or a good boxer who knows how to distance himself properly, or even a smart street fighter, and try to use kata, you're gonna get smoked, and fast.